Props for picture frames



July 3, 1962 D. M. KNOX PROPS FOR PICTURE FRAMES Filed Jan. 9, 1961 R O T N E V m PM M. Km

i iiu i ATTORNEYS United States Patent "On ice p 3,041,763 Patented July 3, 1962 3,041,763 PROPS FOR PICTURE FRAMES David M. Knox, 310 E. 55th St., New York 22, NY. Filed Jan. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 81,457 4 Claims. 61. 40-152.1

This invention relates in general to picture ensembles and in particular relates to improvements providing for the ensemble to be hung on a wall or to be held generally upright on a supporting surface.

The improved structure of the invention contemplates an elongated, annular frame, together with a pair of props which can be placed in storage position on the frame so that the frame may be hung on a wall without interference from the props or the props can be used for supporting the frame alternatively with the long dimension or the short dimension extending upwardly from a flat surface and at some desired display angle or orientation.

The props are made of resilient material and are removably fitted into the frame by way of slots or grooves on opposite sides of the frame which respectively receive the ends of the props and under exhibit conditions on a flat surface one end of either prop is freed from its slot so that the same can contact the surface and hold the frame in desired position.

Various of the advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the description below.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a picture ensemble incorporating the invention, the props being shown on the back or non-viewing side of the frame;

FIGURE 2 is an end view partially in section of the ensemble of FIGURE 1 and illustrating in particular how one of the props is used to hold the frame with the long dimension extending upwardly;

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view of the ensemble of FIGURE 2 turned 90 and illustrating how the other prop is used for supporting the frame with the short dimension extending upwardly; and

FIGURE 4 is an end view of a prop of FIGURE 1 and illustrating in particular the manner of mounting or detaching a prop.

In FIGURE 1 I have shown an annular or generally rectangular-shaped frame 1 comprised of short moldings 2 and 3 and long moldings 4 and 5. The frame is constructed to carry a picture assembly 6. n the back or non-viewing side each of the moldings 2, 3, 4 and 5 is contoured so as to form the annular ridge 10. The ridge on the molding 2 is formed with a slot 11 and the ridge on the molding 3 is formed with a similar slot 12. The ridge on the molding 4 has a slot 13 and a similar slot 14 is on the ridge of the molding 5.

A prop 15 is attached to the frame by way of the opposite ends 16 and 17 of the prop being respectively disposed in the grooves 11 and 12. Each of the ends 16 and 17 is configured to make a sliding fit or engagement with the grooves so that the same can be easily inserted or withdrawn. The prop 15 is made of flexible, resilient material preferably a plastic, and is provided with abutments 20 and 21 which, when the prop is in the position shown, respectively engage the ridges on the moldings 2 and 3. The abutments hold the propin posi tion so that the same cannot move out of the slots unless forced out, for example, by pulling out by hand. In the present instance it will be noted that the abutments 20 and 21 are constructed as by the semi-circular contours formed in the prop. As will be apparent, the overall length of the prop is greater than the distance between the slots 11 and 12.

A similar prop 22 is attached to the frame by the ends 23 and 24 which are respectively disposed in the slots 13 and 14. The prop 22 has the abutments 25 and 26.

For supporting the frame with the long dimension extending upwardly, the lower end 17 of the prop 15 is pulled out of the slot 12 and moved to a position such as shown in FIGURE 2 wherein it will be seen that the lower end 17 is engaged with the surface S supporting the frame 1. The lower end 17 can be adjusted so that the frame or ensemble is oriented at the desired display angle. Such adjustment is provided by the resiliency of the prop and by spreading of the abutment 20.

For removing the lower end 17, the prop 15 is gripped approximately in the center and then deformed so that the end 17 moves outwardly through the slot (see FIGURE 4). For inserting the end 17 a similar deformation is used. The upper end 16 of the prop is removed and inserted in the same way. It will be noted that the prop 15 is disposed outwardly of the prop 22 so that the prop 22 does not interfere with outward movement or adjustment of prop 15.

When it is desired to support the frame with the short dimension extending upwardly, the frame is moved (clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 1) to assume the position as shown in FIGURE 3. The lower end 24 of the prop 22 is removed from the slot 14 and the end 17 of the prop 15 is replaced in the slot 14. In removing and inserting the ends 17 and 24 the prop 22 is disposed outwardly of the prop 15 so that the same can be moved away from the frame without interference from the prop 15.

In the embodiment shown it will be observed that each of the slots 11, 12, 13 and 14 runs clear through the respective ridges on the moldings. It will be understood, of course, that the invention contemplates slots or grooves which do not run clear through the ridges.

In FIGURE 1 the props 15 and 22 are shown in the storage position, that is to say, each end of each prop is disposed in the respective slots. The props and the ridges are constructed so that when the props are in the position shown in FIGURE 1 each part of each prop is disposed inwardly of a plane through the outer extremity of the ridge. In this manner the frame may be hung against a wall without interference from the props and several frames may be conveniently stacked for storage or shipment.

For hanging the frame on a wall the invention contemplates that one or both of the props be provided with means for hanging the frame. For example, in FIGURE 1 it will be observed that the end 23 of the prop 22 extends clear through the slot 13 and projects outwardly therefrom. This projection is indicated at 30. The projection 30 is contoured and has an aperture 31 by means of which the projection can he supported by a hook or a nail on the Wall. The prop 15 may have a similar projection.

There are several advantages of the invention and these are discussed following.

One important advantage is that the construction provides two independently, alternatively usable props which do not interfere with one another either under storage or wall display conditions nor when one or the other of the props is being used to hold the frame upright on a fiat surface.

Another advantage of the invention is that it is readily adaptable for use with a frame irrespective of the length ratio between the long and short sides of the frame. In previously known arrangements, where a single prop was arranged to support the frame with either the long or short dimension extending upwardly, the length ratio was of critical importance because with wide ratio variation the use of a single prop for supporting the frame in either position was impossible and the use of two props made for impractical interference problems.

Another advantage of the invention is that either one of the props can be completely removed from the frame in the event the display conditions are such that the picture will be displayed only in one position.

Another advantage of the invention is that the props are connected with the frame by a fool-proof reliable arrangement eliminating the use of nails, rivets, screws and the like.

I claim:

1. For a picture ensemble: an annular-shaped frame having means for mounting a picture assembly and the frame being formed with a pair of diametrically opposed slots; a prop for holding said frame generally upright on a surface supporting the frame, the prop being made of resilient material and having a length greater than the distance between said slots, one end of the prop being disposed in and making a sliding engagement with one of said slots, the sliding engagement and the resiliency providing for insertion and withdrawal of said one end, and the other end of the prop being free from the frame for contact with said surface and the other end of the prop being configured to enter the other of said slots and make a sliding engagement therewith, the sliding engagement and the resiliency providing for insertion and withdrawal of the other end.

2. A construction in accordance with claim 1 further including abutments on the prop respectively disposed adjacent each end for engagement with said frame when an end is in a slot.

3. A construction in accordance with claim 2 wherein at least one slot is open at opposite sides and a portion of said one end extends therethrough and projects away from the slot and is provided with an aperture for receiving a hook or the like.

4. A construction in accordance with claim 2 wherein said prop is substantially planar when both ends are in said slots and each part of the prop is located inwardly of a plane through the outer extremity of said frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 20 1,117,085 Potts Nov. 10, 1914 2,651,129 Spertus Sept. 8, 1953 2,809,454 Maynard Oct. 15, 1957 2,954,630 Hull Oct. 4, 1960 

